Underperforming Mets, Cubs want to build momentum ahead of break

The New York Mets will look to snap their latest skid Tuesday night when they host the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a four-game series.

The scheduled series opener was postponed due to storms in the New York area on Monday. The teams will attempt to play one game as planned on Tuesday, followed by a split doubleheader Wednesday and the finale on Thursday.

The Cubs had back-to-back days off after Sunday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto was rained out and rescheduled as a standalone game Aug. 6.

Both the Cubs and Mets are eager to build momentum ahead of the All-Star break in mid-July. The Mets have lost seven of their past 12 games, while Chicago has gone 13-25 since opening the season 27-12.

Mets left fielder Juan Soto has been on a tear while reaching base safely in 13 straight games. The four-time All-Star is batting .386 with four homers and nine RBIs during that stretch.

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who hasn't played since April 22 due to a strained left calf, is expected to participate in his third rehab game Tuesday when he plays for Triple-A Syracuse. He could return to the Mets' lineup as soon as Wednesday.

"We'll reassess after the (rehab) game and see what's next for him," New York manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Tuesday's pitching matchup will feature a pair of right-handers as Chicago's Edward Cabrera (4-4, 5.21 ERA) faces New York's Kodai Senga (0-5, 9.00).

Cabrera was cleared to start after exiting last Tuesday's outing vs. the visiting Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning due to right hand cramping. He took the loss in the 5-2 game.

"It was just a cramp that I felt," Cabrera said. "I was scared, but it was just a cramp."

The early exit came after he allowed five runs over 4 1/3 innings. He gave up three runs over six frames in a 12-4 home win against New York on April 17 and is 3-2 with a 5.01 ERA in 11 career starts vs. the Mets.

Freddy Peralta gave up a career-high 10 runs over just 2 2/3 innings Saturday, when the Phillies beat New York 15-3. David Peterson allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings in a 6-2 loss on Sunday.

"It's on us to continue to figure this thing out, try to help these guys," Mendoza said. "Those are the guys that we're counting on, and we need to help them."

Senga returned from a seven-week stint on the injured list due to lumbar spine inflammation and allowed four runs over four innings in a 5-3 setback to the host Cincinnati Reds last Tuesday.

Senga yielded seven runs (six earned) over 3 1/3 innings in a 12-4 road loss to Chicago on April 17. He is 1-2 with a 6.91 ERA in three career starts vs. the Cubs.

Senga will need to exercise caution with Chicago center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who was named NL Player of the Week on Monday. He won his first Player of the Week just two weeks ago on June 8.

For the month, Crow-Armstrong is hitting .437 with nine homers and 14 RBIs. For the season, he is batting .286 with 16 home runs and 40 RBIs.

"His production has just been excellent," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. "His production is taking a big step forward, and that's meaningful for us."

--Field Level Media